Belina giggles as you take her over your shoulders and ascend the makeshift stairs to the top of the obelisk. Once you reach the top and set her down, Belina continues to hold you tight while whispering:
Belina climbs the short ladder up to the lighting crystal and casts her cantrip. After a moment, the crystal lights up with a silver luminesence, reflected off multiple mirrors. The whole of the upper level is bathed in light; for miles around, the old watchtower's pinnacle serves as beacon, heralding the arrival of the dawn.
Ariael smiles, and nods in agreement to Hannah's suggestion "Might as well." With that, they head outside. He slings his bow over his shoulder, then draws his new rapier.
Yup, that's why I said leaving it open. Want to see where she takes it, before I decide what to do
When you reach a suitably secluded spot, Hannah turns and embraces you, her slender arms clasped loosely around your neck. Her soft lips seek yours; upon finding resistance, she whispers heavily into your ear. My lord, I know you find me desireable - do not deny yourself the pleasures of life when they are presented to you. I seek only to remind you, in between the terrors you face, that there are things worth living for, as well!
We'll not go into details if you decide to lay with her and make love, though of course your reaction is completely up to you.
"Right, get everyone up. We need to be moving out as soon as possible."
After getting her own pack squared away, Janiries heads around the various groups of refugees, encouraging them to get up and ready to move out.
Ariael does indeed resist, at first, but eventually the stress and strain of the last few days get to him, and he gives in to Hannah's kiss. However, that is all he allows. "Perhaps there will be more between us, perhaps not. But I am not one to just give in to pleasures of the flesh, unlike Belina who I am certain is trying to bed Hezar as we speak. I also think you are a more decent woman than she." He holds her in arms for a moment, thinking.
"You have definitely reminded there are things worth living for, and for that I thank you. The last couple of days have been harsh and terrible, yet you have made them bearable and at times enjoyable." He says with a warm smile.
Her ardor cooled, she's ready to return to the main group if you are. She would walk in silence, one hand in yours, the other holding up the hem of her long skirt, casting the occasional glance in your direction and moving away wordlessly once you have returned, averting her gaze from the other village girls, who watch and quietly gossip to each other.
Ariael finds a log laying on the ground, and sits down, patting a spot next to him for Hannah to do likewise. He looks at her, and takes her hands in his "I want you to understand so listen, please. I do find you desirable, there is a fire and passion in you that one does not find among the timeless trees that make up the forest I am from. But that timelessness is a deep part of my life. I am one hundred and thirty years old, and I will likely live for several hundred more years at least. Such longevity gives me a unique perspective, heightened by being surrounded by trees that were ancient when my great-grand parents were born. I try to take a longer view of life as often as I can, patience guiding my heart, mind and hand whenever possible. So please, have the same for me, and perhaps both of us will be pleasantly surprised"
"Lets give everyone a few minutes to prepare before we depart." with that Landon will return to his gear and prepare for the coming day, replacing his current armour with the suit gifted to him the day before and finish stowing everything else.
"Aye, no sense rushing if we've no fire under our boots."
Time to move out!
It is dawn by the time everyone is awakened and prepared to head out to the crossroads, and hence to the Stendar estate. The commoners walk past the bodies of the fallen undead with unease; muttered comments about impending doom spread throughout the group. Many look back to take in the fantastic sight of the lit watchtower; the 200-foot tall obelisk, now lit with a vibrant silver radiance at the apex, appears to stand still in time, a watchful sentinel from a bygone era, slowly receding into the distance.
After roughly a three hour walk (calling it a march would be charitable, given the condition of many of the commoners) you approach the sulduskoon trade road. The early morning sun has given way to clouds and a light drizzle; looking to the north, the radiance from the watchtower is still visible, albeit muted. Awaiting you at the crossroads are 12 mounted warriors; most in mail armour, wearing tabards of purple and silver, with the laurel wreath and crossed spears symbol of the Stendar family crest upon their chests. At the head of the group is a man, approaching middle years, with close-cropped gray hair and a stern countenance. Clad in plate mail, and well-armed, he appears as a knight. He wears a tabard of orange and red, however, and bears the symbol of Lathander over his heart. He raises his gauntleted hand to stay his companions and rides forth to meet your group. His expression grows softer as he sees the condition of the refugees, and he breathes deeply and shakes his head as if in sadness before speaking.
Well met! You have kept your word to bring forth the survivors from Tilver's Folly, though it makes my heart sore that there are so few. My name is Kaylan, companion of the order of the Aster, knight-errant of the church of Lathander. My order helps guard the Stendar estate as best we can, bolstering the numbers of their own guard. He gestures behind him towards the mounted warriors; they look young, tired, and eager to return to the relative safety of the estate.
We should return quickly, though it looks as if you may need a rest first. I would ask what has transpired, though I imagine this will be a tale that the Lady Stendar would want to hear as well, and repeating it may tire and dispirit you even further.
Well met, I am Hezar. Sir Crane and Sir Duvall lead our party. There is much to be discussed. As soon as we can move I think we should get to the safety of the estate.
With that Hezar moves back to check on Belina, who would have been with some of the wounded.
Pulling her hood up to give her some cover from the rain, Janiries mutters to herself during the walk in annoyance at the weather. Once they meet the knights at the crossroads, she'd quickly move up to the leader to speak to him.
"A rest, some good food and a bath would be most appreciated, Kaylan. Some of our injured could do with a ride back, if your men can spare the weight."
"Greetings, I am sir Crane. An agent of Helm. I am glad to see some trained soldiers to help us defend these villagers. Thank you." he paused to look back at their injured, "As my colleague suggested I think it would be best for everyone if we could use your mounts for the wounded while able bodied men such as yourselves joined me on foot."
The knight nods his head in respect. Well met, all of you. And of course, I and my company will surrender our horses to those who need them. These people have suffered enough. Though there is some grumbling amongst the soldiers, they all give up their mounts to those who need them more - several injured, two young women heavy with child, and several older survivors who seemed ready to keel over in exhaustion.
Looking over your group, Kaylan the knight purses his mouth. Did you lose one of your number during the mission? The Lady noted that there was a girl, with skin the colour of fire, who accompanied you. I do see that you have picked up quite an interesting group of followers. He says this while looking at the dwarves. Noticing Belina, his face hardens a bit. Young lady, a calishite walking freely amongst the refugees may not be safe. Though I bear you no ill will for your heritage, many in the camp are angry and may seek to lash out. I recommend that you conceal yourself as best as you are able and not draw attention.
The trip back to the Stendar estate will take several hours; you'll likely arrive just before nightfall. The gates close then and are locked, Kaylan explains, as we continue to face the undead every night. The two patriarchs have proven more than a match for whatever we have encountered, but sometimes a few stealthy ones manage to make it over the wall.
"Yes, we lost Elur in battle with the undead forces around the tower back there. Though, the enemy claims to have brought her back through vile necromancy, so if your men see her, don't let her in."
Kaylan nods grimly. I am sorry for your loss, and will ensure that whatever foul thing they conjure up that wears her face will find no entry to our hold. It is often the way of evil to hide behind a fair countenance.
Thank you captain for the advice, and the understanding. Belina has fought by our side twice now, both times taking grievous wounds but she fights on. I hope that the camp will come to accept her bravery.
"What kinda beasties have they been sendin' at ye, lad? We seen a few dead ogres up and about, and some fat puffy ones that pop like an acid boil all over whatever kills 'em. Any more surprises they got in store for ye?"
It doesn't feel like a coordinated attack, really, says the knight. I've faced the undead for years, and mostly it seems that the graveyards have been emptied to swarm us - skeletons, zombies, some ghouls.... not all of the zombies have been plodding and slow; we've seen fast ones that move and strike with superhuman speed, and those bloated ones that explode and burn all they come into contact with.
Even those that haunt the estate seem to be riled up, much more so than usual, Kaylan wipes the drizzle from his eyes. The ancestral vaults are now strictly off-limits; they were haunted before, but by Lathander himself I wouldn't want to spend a minute down there now - we hear them scratching 'gainst the stone doors, seeking exit, and those with magic can feel the wards being tested, over and again.
Two nights ago we caught a stranger roaming the halls - nearly skeletal, cloaked - it was the Lady's own father, dead for over a year, raised as a vampire to strike her in her own chambers! I challenged it, and struck it down before it could reach her doors, but the sight of her sire, raised by those devils, nearly drove Atheela to madness. Kaylan falls silent, lost in thought.
"Well, the lack of any co-ordination in the undead is probably a good sign. Means they aren't being directly controlled by that Lassathor thing we encountered back in Tilver's Folly."
"This situation appears to be spreading much faster and in ways more sinister than we previously expected. Have you seen any additional aid from Zassasspur?"
No aid, though traffic continues to move through the area, to and from the great city. From what we can gather, the taint of undeath appears to be affecting an area roughly 40 miles in every direction from Tilver's folly. That puts the Stendarr estate near the edge of it's area of influence. I've no idea as to how quickly it is spreading.
"We should work to find out exactly how quickly it's spreading, so we can better plan a response."
"Janiries speaks wisely, though I will say I am unsure how to accomplish this aside from sending out some sort of scouting party. While such is not a bad tactic, it does run the risk of them being taken out by the undead."
"Between all the magic and slippery fish we got amongst our little band, there must be a good method or two for sneakin' 'round undead, I imagine. We made it happen before, didn't we? Besides, no matter how quickly it spreads, any plan we cook up'll eventually boil down ta the same thing: Carvin' a path to Lassathor and walkin' out with his head in a bag."
As dusk approaches, you finally see the Stendarr estate in the distance. Surrounded by neglected farmlands and empty homes, the walled compound stands isolated and alone. The stone wall which protects the keep and it's grounds is manned by vigilant sentries; as you come into sight, an alert is raised and additional bodies man the walls.
As you approach, and appear not as a threat, the gates open. Flanked by the two hulking statues - the Stendarr patriarchs - commoners rush to the gates to see if lost family members are amongst the rescued. There are far too few reunions. The fields surrounding the estate are already packed with tents, and several dozen campfires sent wispy smoke into the early evening sky.
You are met at the gate by the sergeant at arms, a human woman who identifies herself as Evaline. Welcome back, all of you. You've done well to bring back so many survivors. We will accomodate them as best we can. Please proceed through the barbican to the keep; you are invited to dine with the lady of the house this evening, and discuss what you have seen. She nods and smiles to you, then is off to help hold back the crush of refugees.
I will join you at dinner, notes the knight Kaylan. Seek out Madeline, the head servant, and you will be taken care of. A young lad runs forward and motions you to follow him to the keep after Kaylan strides away.
Rather happily heading off to the keep, now that there's rather less danger, Janiries relaxes for the first time since setting out to Tilver's Folly.
Once at the keep and with Madeline, Janiries would make a request of the servant.
"Would there be a chance of a bath before this meal? We've not exactly had chance to really wash since setting out."
"Well aside from the washroom in that bunker, aye, a good scrub wouldn't go amiss. Anyone eats that last mutton leg before I get there is gettin' it cut out of em." Belgrin smiles and strides off after the young errand boy.
Hezar follows, with Belina close by.
Perhaps you can show me your arts? He whispers to her.
Upon arriving at the manor and finding Madeline Hezar asks for a room, and come wine.
Perhaps a tankard over that mutton Belgrin?
"Thank you but I'd prefer to ensure these folk get settled in first." After the survivors have been taken care of then Landon will go in and tend to his own needs.
Landon and Duvall set themselves to task, looking after the survivors and working with the guard to ensure that they are settled. The other refugees and the guard are accomodating, and eager to help, though supplies and space are both in short supply.
When you set of for the manor itself, you are met at the doors by a middle aged woman who introduces herself as Madeline. Five rooms are set aside for your use, as well as access to the heated bathing room and dwarven flushing privy set aside. You're having dinner with the Lady in the formal dining hall; notes Madeline. First service will be in two hours. We've set out some fine clothing for you to wear, if you so choose; dining with the Lady should be considered a formal occasion, you know! She had me size you up when you were first here. She looks at Janiries. My lady, we've a gown set aside for you, as well as a body servant to wait upon you. Please summon her with the bell in your room when you desire her to assist you. She looks to the gentlemen present. We've finery for you men, as well, though we trust you can clothe yourselves without assistance.
Your five rooms adjoin to a large central open room, where refreshments are laid out and two young serving girls await your command. Upon the walls are a number of paintings; most are of the Lady's ancestors, dating back several hundred years. The latest painting, before the lady herself, is missing; and another painting, five generations earlier, is also gone from its mounting space on the wall.
Examining the rooms, Belina has a bit of a pout on her lovely face. They didn't leave a gown out for me, only for Janiries. She thinks for a moment. Are....we to share a room, my lord?
"A gown? Well, one does hope that your tailor can live up to Elven standards."
Turning back to the group with a grin, Janiries continues.
"I'm calling first go in the bath, you guys can come in once I've finished."
I should like to bathe as well, notes Belina. Do you have any objections to me joining you, Janiries? The pool seems large enough for many people, and I am eager to bathe, as well.
At the room question
Only if that makes you comfortable. I can certainly get another one. I just thought...Oh boy, I really stepped in it this time.
Let us get cleaned up and then we can figure it out? Hezar silently prays that his ploy to escape awkwardness works.
"I don't mind at all, Belina."
With that, the Sun Elf turns and claims a room.
Upon the bed has been laid out a beautiful gown; a red and black silk bodice, strapless and laced up the back, with a full black taffeta skirt with many layers. Long, black gloves, a beautiful diamond choker necklace, silver chandelier style earrings and an intricate silver filligree bun cage complete the ensemble.
The bathing room is large, tiled in blues, and lit softly with candles. The water is warm; the pool itself is almost ten feet long and five feet wide.
Belina joins you after several minutes, blushing and averting her eyes as she removes her towel and steps into the warm water. For the first time you can remember, her long black hair is unbound, reaching to her waist. She keeps her eyes averted from your naked form, but tries to stammer out some pleasant conversation.